Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lewis Wells
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Edwards in Milan, Ohio
- Dimensions: 123 ft × 26 ft × 10 ft; 209 gross tons
- Registered Tonnage: 209 gross tons
- Location: Driven ashore near Sand Beach (Harbor Beach), Michigan
- Official Number: 11280
- Original Owners: Based out of East Saginaw
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Schooner-barges like the Lewis Wells were commonly used during the logging era, designed to transport lumber across the Great Lakes. This vessel exemplifies the type’s vulnerability to severe weather conditions.
Description
The Lewis Wells was a wooden schooner-barge measuring 123 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and 10 feet in depth. Built in 1866, it was primarily used for transporting lumber. The vessel was registered with an official number of 11280 and had a gross tonnage of 209 tons.
History
Constructed by Edwards in Milan, Ohio, the Lewis Wells served in the lumber trade, operating out of East Saginaw. The vessel’s service history reflects the significant role of schooner-barges in the Great Lakes shipping industry during the 19th century.
Significant Incidents
- Caught in a violent late-season storm on November 19, 1879, the Lewis Wells was driven ashore and ultimately disintegrated against the surf.
- Estimates of crew casualties range from two to four members who drowned during the wreck.
Final Disposition
The Lewis Wells was declared a total loss. The wreck remained on shore, likely stripped of salvageable equipment. The hull broke apart rapidly, burying remaining fragments in driftwood and beach sand.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As the wreck of the Lewis Wells is located onshore, it is subject to natural erosion and may be difficult to access. The site is primarily of historical interest, with no remaining structure visible.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lewis-wells-us-11280″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Lewis Wells serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly during the tumultuous autumn months. Its story highlights the risks associated with the lumber trade in the 19th century.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Schooner-Barge, lost November 19, 1879
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lewis Wells
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Built: 1866 by Edwards in Milan, Ohio
- Dimensions: 123 ft × 26 ft × 10 ft; 209 gross tons
- Official Number: 11280
- Date of Loss: November 19, 1879
- Location: Driven ashore near Sand Beach (Harbor Beach), Michigan, Lake Huron
- Cargo: Lumber
- Casualties: 2 to 4 crew drowned during the wreck
- Registry: Based out of East Saginaw
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Circumstances of Loss
Caught in a violent late-season storm, Lewis Wells was driven ashore and pounded to pieces by surf. The storm led to multiple fatalities—estimates range from two to four crew members lost as the hull disintegrated against the shoreline.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
- Declared a total loss; wreck remained on shore and was likely stripped of salvageable equipment.
- The hull broke apart rapidly, burying remaining fragments in driftwood and beach sand.
- The tragedy resulted in confirmed casualties among the crew.
Historical Significance
- Exemplifies logging-era schooner-barges vulnerable to late autumn storms that devastated Lake Huron traffic.
- The crew losses highlight the high risks undertaken by the Great Lakes lumber trade during the 19th century.
Summary Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Built | 1866, Holland-type schooner converted to barge |
| Specifications | 123 × 26 × 10 ft; 209 gt |
| Lost | Nov 19, 1879, near Harbor Beach, MI |
| Cause | Grounding + surf breakdown amid gale |
| Crew | 2–4 lost; multiple fatalities occurred |
| Status | Total loss; hull disintegrated onshore |